In a continual effort to appease parking frustrations in the village of the Cazenovia, trustees have begun to plan for the inclusion of a new parking lot between the Catherine Cummings Theater and United States Post Office on Lincklaen Street. On Nov. 8, during a special meeting of the Cazenovia Village Board, trustees unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of 22 Lincklaen St. for $152,000.

Board members discussed razing the residential structure, which is not protected as a historic property, paving the parcel to include about 24 parking spaces and possibly including a metering system or pay station. The house was recently appraised at $152,000 by James Toole of Toole Appraisals.

“I’m happy with the price. This is such a great opportunity,” said Mayor Kurt Wheeler. “I think all of us [village board members] agree that people have talked about parking in Cazenovia for generations. Sometimes you have to bit a little bold to make things happen. This will be a great addition to the village and benefit the greater good.”

All trustees were in agreement that the opportunity was too good to pass up, and came about at the right time. Wheeler said that the construction of the parking lot will wait until spring, allowing time for the public to comment and offer suggestions.

“I think this will be very popular,” said Trustee Dave Porter.

“It’s the perfect spot,” said Trustee Jim Joseph.

Village board members then discussed the viability of including a metering system or pay station, as well as a drive-up dropbox for the U.S. Postal Service.

Trustees also talked about possibly holding an estate sale and salvaging materials from the house, or giving away some of the household items to Habitat for Humanity.

All present at the meeting said they were excited to see the project come to fruition, and hope to attract more out-of-town visitors to the many restaurants and shops downtown Cazenovia has to offer.

“What we really need is space for visitors,” said Trustee Peggy Van Arnam. “This will not be a lot for downtown workers.”

The board conversed about closely re-examining the parking situation in the village, and possibly implementing a total overhaul of parking in Cazenovia next year.

“Over the winter, we will look to draft a holistic village-wide shift in the parking model, for this spring,” Wheeler said.

The board then unanimously approved a bond of $200,000 — to cover the cost of the property and closing fees, as well as construction of the new parking lot — to be repaid within five years.

During the regularly-scheduled village board meeting on Nov. 5, trustees announced a number of the universally-recognized blue parking signs have recently been installed downtown.

The new signs direct drivers to the free, all-day public parking lot on Riverside Drive, behind the Cazenovia Public Library.

Village officials have continuously attempted to increase awareness of the lot, adding a pedestrian walkway which connects to Albany Street, and taking steps to clearly define spaces over the past year.

The future public parking lot on Lincklaen Street will serve as a permanent record of their efforts.

Pierce Smith is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at 434-8889 ext. 338 or editor@cazenoviarepublican.com.